Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has pulled out of Butembo and Katwa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

It claimed the facility and its vehicles were deliberately set on fire last night.

There were 57 patients admitted to the treatment centre at the time of the attack.

In a statement, MSF said today: “Médecins Sans Frontières has put on stand-by its medical activities in the epicentre of the Ebola epidemic, in Butembo and Katwa, in the province of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, following an attack on an Ebola treatment centre in Butembo city during the evening of 27 February.

“Unidentified assailants set some of the compound’s facilities and vehicles on fire”

MSF

“Unidentified assailants set some of the compound’s facilities and vehicles on fire.

“The blazes were contained, but the teams were obliged to immediately cease patient care.

“At the time of the attack, there were 57 patients admitted in the treatment centre, which was run alongside the Ministry of Health; 15 of the patients were confirmed to have Ebola.

“This incident comes only days after another Ebola treatment facility, also supported by MSF teams in the neighbouring district of Katwa, was attacked on 24 February – also forcing its suspension.

“MSF has evacuated its staff from the area for their safety pending a thorough analysis of the risks associated with continuing to provide medical care there.”